In a striking display of humility, Nigerian entrepreneur and billionaire Robert Azibaola was recently captured mixing cement and plastering what appears to be his mansion in Nigeria.
The founder of Zeetin Engineering who prides himself as social thinker, shared this moment on his Facebook page, sparking widespread admiration and igniting conversations about leadership, national pride, and the untapped potential of Nigeria’s resources.
Far from the detached image often associated with wealth, Azibaola’s hands-on approach reveals a philosophy rooted in inspiring others and celebrating Nigeria’s inherent values.
In the viral clip, he was spotted, neatly dressed, but wielding a trowel as he works alongside his team, embodying a work ethic that defies his billionaire status.
The lawyer and engineer said:
“I’m the motivator of my staff. Once I get the vision, I explain to them, and they carry out the responsibilities.
“They’ve worked with me to the extent they know me now, and they know my standard. Even if I’m not around, they’ll carry out my standard.”
For Azibaola, this isn’t just about building a house—it’s about setting an example and fostering a culture of excellence.
He continued:
“This place is a training ground for a lot of people. Secondary and University students. When they come, I should be able to explain to them how some aspects of these things are done so that they’ll be motivated.”
Beyond the construction site, Azibaola challenged Nigerians to rethink their perception of their homeland.
He critiqued the tendency to seek validation abroad, chasing experiences in places like the Bahamas while overlooking Nigeria’s abundant beauty.
“There’s nothing in the Bahamas that’s not in Nigeria. In fact, the Bahamas is a child’s play to Nigeria. From Brass to Lagos beaches, all those are Bahamas.
“If you go to the North, you’ll see mountains, all those rocks are Bahamas.
“There’s no part of this world you’ll go that you’ll see things as suited as Nigeria is endowed.
“Write a story about one beautiful stone somewhere in Nigeria, and see if Nigerians will come. They wouldn’t.
“But write a story about one stone and put it in Washington, they’ll fly from here to Washington to see it.”
Azibaola Robert, known for his multi-talents, especially in diverse fields of engineering, was awarded the Honorary Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers by NSE in 2023.
